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STEVE BULLOCK Angela McLean GOVERNOR LT. GOVERNOR STATE CAPITOL • P.O. BOX 200801 • HELENA, MONTANA 59620-0801 TELEPHONE: [PHONE REDACTED] • FAX: [PHONE REDACTED] • WEBSITE: WWW.MT.GOV OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR STATE OF MONTANA May 28, 2015 The Honorable Anthony Foxx, Secretary United States Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20590 RE: TIGER Grant Application for the City of Kalispell and the Flathead County Economic Development Authority Dear Secretary Foxx: Please consider my support for the City of Kalispell and Flathead County Economic Development Authority’s application for Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) 2015 discretionary grant funding for the Glacier Rail Park/Kalispell Core Area Redevelopment and Trail. The proposed $21,175,000 investment in rail, road and trail development for the development of a new rail park and the subsequent building of a public bike and pedestrian trail will leverage federal investments already made through the US Economic Development Administration and the US Environmental Protection Agency. Further, this project demonstrates strong commitment from its local partners through the provision of over $11 million in non-federal match generated from the City of Kalispell, Flathead County Economic Development Authority, and BNSF. The hallmark of this project has been public private partnership creating the wherewithal to transform the area. The State of Montana has invested $90,000 in the planning and preparation for this project through the Big Sky Economic Development Trust Fund. This project will play a key role in the Main Street Montana Project which aims to form a dynamic private-public partnership to build and implement a business plan for Montana by Montanans. The State of Montana is invested in creating a climate that attracts and grows businesses while nurturing immerging industries and encouraging innovation. This project will enhance this region’s economic base through its connection to the railroad’s Great Northern Corridor and foster job creation in the Flathead Valley. It will encourage businesses with new technology and products that require rail services to locate to the region and accommodate expanding local businesses. Additionally, the removal of unused rail tracks through the Core Area of Kalispell with a public trail will encourage reinvestment in some forty acres of vacant and blighted property. This project benefits from strong community based support generated through five years of inclusive community planning and collaboration between the City of Kalispell, Flathead County, residents and property owners of the Core Area, numerous federal agencies and the railroad entities. The benefits of this project will transform Kalispell immediately and the northwest region through the long term by improving and diversifying transportation infrastructure, creating quality jobs, addressing safety needs ---PAGE BREAK--- and promoting the key livability priorities of the area. Thank you for your consideration of awarding TIGER Discretionary Grant funding to the Glacier Rail Park/Kalispell Core Area Redevelopment and Trail. Sincerely, STEVE BULLOCK Governor